Verizon has clarified that they are not currently releasing webOS 1.4.5 to Pre Plus device owners, adding to the existing user frustration for Pre Plus owners on Verizon Wireless.

The last significant update, webOS 1.4.1, was issued over five months ago.

After some initial disagreements between the carriers on a botched marketing rollout, Verizon and Palm renewed their efforts and rolled out the groundbreaking 5 GB of free Mobile Hotspot, an offering that is still available and vastly superior to Verizon’s newer $20 for 2 GB pricing on Android devices.

However, today Verizon noted to PhoneNews.com that there is no public status available for webOS 1.4.5 on the Pre Plus. Only the Pixi Plus has been updated to webOS 1.4.5, despite indications to the contrary from Palm and Verizon previously.

While Pre Plus owners had access to a beta version of the Palm PDK, enabling native code applications and games, Pixi and Pixi Plus owners were forced to wait until webOS 1.4.5 to gain access to PDK apps. However, Pre Plus owners stuck at webOS 1.4.1.1 are starting to be burned. The Palm App Catalog is restricting Pre and Pre Plus owners who have not yet updated to 1.4.5; they cannot run newly-released PDK applications. Palm is adding a requirement of 1.4.5 to all new PDK apps.

This is not the only issue for which Palm owners on Verizon have been suffering from long-term. The GPS issues we’ve reported on in-depth previously persist, and Verizon media representatives have informed PhoneNews.com that they have absolutely no comment on those lingering issues, instead pointing us to Palm. Palm, in turn, points us back at Verizon, noting that this is a Verizon-carrier issue.

Part of the issue may be the lackluster sales that have both Palm and Verizon likely scratching their heads at how to support these devices. While there is likely little that Palm must do to adapt updates, Verizon’s priorities internally are likely pointed at higher-volume devices like their Droid line of phones.

Verizon Palm sales have been compared to KIN in the past by sources, and previous reports point to the Pre Plus being discontinued later this month. The Pixi Plus, however, is expected to continue as a free smartphone offering through the first quarter of next year.

Christopher Price is the Founding Editor of PhoneNews.com. Today, he leads the team building Console, Inc. - a new kind of Android™ device. He still likes to pontificate... a lot. You can visit his personal blog at ChristopherPrice.net.

This is totally inexcusable. There is no justification for witholding this update from their customers. Obviosly there aren’t any serious issues with the update or it wouldn’t have been released for the Pixi. For verizon to not provide the update is restricting their users from being able to access most of the app catalogue. tThe only reseason for them to do that is if they want to push their customers out of Palm to another platform…can you say android? Well, if that’s their intention they are going to succeed, I’ll be moving to at$t as soon as my contract is up.

As a long-time Verizon customer I am very upset with how they have supported my Pre Plus. While I doubt this poor customer service will ultimately hurt their bottom line too much, I, for one, will likely be exploring other carriers when my contract is up. I only hope one of the others can beef up their coverage in my area over the length of my remaining contract.

[…] 1.4.5 so we can download new software! Since Verizon just stuck it to their Pre Plus users: Verizon – Palm Relations Hit New Low as webOS 1.4.5 in Doubt for Pre Plus | PhoneNews.com Can someone come up with a patch that will "fake" the App Catalog application to […]

I’ve read some scuttle-butt indicating VZW is going to discontinue the Pre Plus anyway (just saw it’s now free on the vebsite) so that is most likely why they are making no more investment in it. I just hate that while wi-fi hotspot tethering is 5 Gig and FREE on the Palm, it is $20 and only 2 Gig on Android devices. Discriminatory to say the least, but good for Palm Pre users (while they last anyway).

Jim, the solution is simple, get a Pre Plus and then use your Droid 2 as a glorified iPod touch. There’s nothing stopping Droid 2/X/Incredible/whatever from sipping Wi-Fi from your Pre Plus, right alongside your other devices.

this is really dumb and unfair i mean pixi plus users on verizon have the update what is so hard to throw it at the pre plus users OKAY its going to be discontinued but you cant give us one last update i was skeptical whether or not to pick the pre plus or the LG ally and i love my pre plus but without 1.4.5 its starting to suck i hardly have access to any apps and i would like to enjoy Flash 10.1 come on verizon you’re slacking im thinking of switching back to sprint because of this

I don’t agree this should have anything to do with the device being end of life or anything. the device creator and OS developer know it works. VZW believes enough in it to release it for the Pixi, so the holdup is a joke. This is my first smartphone. And if I don’t see a 1.4.5 update, it will be my last on Verizon.